A Long Time Ago

Innocent youthful playing at the lake
the Canadian cold weather, water ice will make
relatives surround me now on this vacation
no worries, no complaints, the perfect combination
grandma gives us bars of soap to carve
waiting for our uncle with candy gifts, as we starve
the cottage lays on the water front
for tomorrow's attention, sunrise water skiing stunt
maple trees forest of sweetness syrup spout
empty cans in hand to fill, as we run about
shiny Canadian nickels pocket full of change
childhood riches, store shelves, display the candy
range
adventures catching fish, baiting our hooks
wise old brown trout and the fresh water brooks
our uncles eight cylinder red painted shiny car
joy riding gas pedal acceleration like a shooting star
activities to activate drain the daily hours
illegal blowing up driveway blooming firecracker
flowers
long ago memories reenacted thoughts of joy
of a grown man's history as a playful little boy